I'm going to go against the grain and say Samuel L. Jackson. As much as I love Nic Cage, and definitely loved him in Matchstick Men and Face/Off, Samuel L. Jackson is a beast. Sure, he plays similar characters in all his movies, but why fix what's not broken? He's badass in everything he does. Besides, he does switch it up now and then. Jackie Brown showed his psycho talent, and he played a computer geek in Jurassic Park. I rest my case.

@Dan – I have to disagree with you about Cage’s bad films being better than Jackson’s bad films. Jackson’s worst films are usually forgettable at best. Yet Cage’s worst film seem to leave a stench that lingers far longer than they should (e.g. Ghost Rider, The Wicker Man, Snake Eyes, Bangkok Dangerous, etc.)

@Jack – I figured Cage would take this one for most people. He has the bigger following in general.

@Mike – Absolutely loved Eve’s Bayou. I agree that it, and Fresh for that matter, is criminally ignored by most people. I am also shocked that Kasi Lemmons has not directed more films. She has only made four films to date.

@Rachel – Matchstick Men is great film. That one definitely surprised me as I had low expectations going into it.

@M. Hufstader – I think Pulp Fiction was both a gift and a curse for Jackson. He was such a badass in that film that he has been somewhat type-cast ever since. People have forgotten how diverse of an actor he can really be.

@Fletch –I purposely left out my definition of better to see how people interpreted the question for these two actors. Both actors have been in some really good films and some horrendously bad ones. They both have a tendency to give over-the-top performances at the drop of a hat. Personally I like Jackson more mainly because Cage has screwed me, and my wallet, over far too many times.

@thevoid – Captain Correlli Mandolin was bad, though I think it had more to do with the script and Penelope Cruz than Cage. The film was made in a time when Hollywood was trying extremely hard to sell Cruz as a leading lady. Cruz has always been great in her Spanish language films but she needed more time, and better material, to really show of her acting chops. She was very wooden in Captain Correlli as a result.

This is a tough one. Both men are capable of doing great work, but seem to take paycheck roles at the drop of a hat. Cage is better at his best, but I also think Jackosn manages to at least be credible in his weaker films, which I CAN'T say of Cage.